Septic tank



June 5, 1956 P. N, SITTON 7493303 SEPTIC TANK Filed Sept.2, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet l BYTLmx (T/ML ATTORNEYS June 5, 1956 P. N. slTToN2,749,303

SEPTIC TANK Filed Sept. 2, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lo /ISI INVENTOR PHILIPN. SYITTON FIG -6 BY/JJW; ,fil-2' ATTORNEYS United States Patent SEPTICTANK Philip N. Sitton, Dayton, Ohio, assigner to The Philip SittonSeptic Tank Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationSeptember 2, 1952, Serial No. 307,426 f 2 Claims. (Cl. 210-6) My presentinvention relates to a septic tank structure. In septic tank operation,the sewage =which enters vthe inlet of the tank contains solid matterwhich is acted upon by bacteria, and over a period of time a sludge isformed on the base of the tank and a scum occurs at the liquid level.Accordingly, while some vertical movement of particles is constantlytakingv place in both the upward and downward directions, the areabetween the sludge and scum lines is relatively free of solids. Thebacterial action, it may be noted, has a further improtant effecthowever in that in induces the formation of corrosive acids whichrenders the whole solution acidic.

It is desirable in such operations that the liquid leaving the tank beas pure as possible in order that the drain fields will be protected,and that the life of the installation will be as long as possible. Toassist in these attainments it has been suggested to provide a multi ortwo compartment septic tank having means of communication between thefirst or settling compartment and the second or outlet compartment. Suchsuggested means have included the provision of a terra cotta conduit orsoil pipe which extends upwardly from the central portion of thesettling compartment and downwardly to approximately the same depth inthe second compartment, the conduit being effective to permit the liquidwhich is relatively free of solids to flow therethrough to the outletcompartment. However this conduit is subject to considerable aciddeterioration as it is positioned in the settling compartment where theeffect of acids newly generated is great and deterioration of theconduit accordingly occurs.

.It has been further considered that it is desirable to aerate theliquid flowing between compartments to thereby increase the efficiencyof the operation, with particular relation to bacterial action.

It is within the contemplation of this invention to overcome the defectsof prior art structures,` which defects are associated with thepositioning of the conduit in the setting compartment of the septictank. For example' the acidic nature of the liquid in the settling tankand the large area of contact of the conduit with the liquid inducesextensive corrosion in even the terra cotta material and deteriorationof the conduit results. Should such deterioration occur in the area ofthe scum line considerable solids would pass to the outlet compartment.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide for aeration ofthe liquid which passes from a settling compartment to an outletcompartment.

It is an important object of this invention to provide in a septic tankas an integral part a structure for the passing of liquid betweencompartments which structure is no more subject to corrosion than theseptic tank itself.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide in a septic tanka structure for the passing of liquid between compartments, whichstructure is an integral part of the tank vand does not requireparticular sealants to maintain it in position.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a 2,749,303 PatentedJune 5, 1956 ICC septic tank structure which will operate in conformancewith the requirements of the various state, local and Federal laws.

It s another object of this invention to provide a septic tank structurewhich improves the purity of the liquid flowing to the outlet.

These and other allied objectives of the invention are attained byproviding an internal wall across the septic tank adjacent the outletthus forming an outlet compartment, and then positioning between thewall and the outlet, means to control the direction of liquid flow fromthe settling chamber or settling compartment. Substan tially this flowcontrol means comprises a conduit in loop form having one end thereofconnected with an opening in the internal wall of the tank which wallpartitions the settling compartment from the outlet compartment, theother end of the loop exhausts into the outlet compartment. The loopconduit is thus positioned entirely within the outlet compartment andout of the area of the most active acid action.

The looped conduit preferably comprises a pair of passages with apartition therebetween; the liquid passes from a vertically mediateportion of the settling compartment where the liquid is substantiallyclean, upwardly through a first passage, over the partition anddownwardly through a second passage to the outlet compart ment. Withthis structural arrangement acid, freshly formed by bacterial action,will not come in contact with the looped conduit and a major corrosiveinfluence is accordingly avoided. Further since the liquid courses overan open partition aeration is readily achieved.

The looped conduit may itself be made of cement and positioned on thegreen inner wall for integral union therewith; thus, upon setting of thewall the cement conduit is securely adhered thereto without thenecessity of introducing any holding means which might be subject to thecorrosive influences of the acids.

lt is also to be noted that as the course of the liquid from thesettling chamber is upwardly from the opening in the internal wall thoseparticles which might pass the opening will tend to settle as the liquidpasses upwardly. While some very small amount of solids may pass to theoutlet compartment this compartment has sufficient capacity to permitsome further settling therein and substantially only clean liquid willpass through the tank outlet.

Since the internal wall of the septic tank may besubjected to stressduring pumping of the sludge from the tank this wall is broken awayslightly at the base thereof to permit sludge and liquid to move betweenthe settling chamber and the outlet compartment. y.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description and ,accom-y panying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view partially sectioned, of a septic tankembodying the precepts of this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged section view of a portion of the right hand wallof Figure l;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a View taken on line 6--6 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover for the septic tank.

Referring to the drawings there is shown generally at 1 in Figure l aseptic tank of substantially elliptical shape having side Walls 3, 5 andend compartments 7, 9'. Settling chamber 11 is defined by the side walls3, 5, a

3. removable baille 13 which, as maybe noted from Figure 2, extends onlypart way down the chamber wall and is keyed thereto as at 41 (Figure l),and an internal wall 15. Compartment 7 is provided with an'inlet-lf'while outlet compartment 9 hasfan outlet 191 VAA plate' 18 hinders themovement of any slurry formed on the liquid surface to the outlet.

Internal wall 15 as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3 is providedwith an opening 21fwhich communicates with a passage 23 (Figure- 6) in aloop shaped conduit or member 2S. Normally this opening 2 willbe'positioned at least 6 inches below' the liquid level of chamber 11 asthe slurry level may attain this depth. Member 25 as shown in Figures'lland 6 is positioned between the outlet 19 and wall 15 andis secured tothe latter as indicated. This `memberZS comprises a main wall portion27, side walls 29, 31 and a central partition 33 The wall 15 as showncloses 'the member 25 on the remaining'side thereof.

Partition 33 extends upwardly from the base of member 25 transversely tothe wall 15 and separates passage 23'from passage 35 (Figure 6), theonly connection between the two being indicated at the top edge ofpartition 33 as passage 37. Accordingly liquid owing into passage 23must rise to the height of passage 37 before it may course downwardlythrough passage 35 intoV also be provided with a small aperture asindicated at 26V in Figure 1; this aperture should be positioned closelyadjacent the bottom of the tank and serve to connect compartment 9 andchamber 11 and provides a pressure reliefior sludge to move between 11and 9. This aperture is'of particular utility when chamber 11 is beingcleaned or pumped free of bottom residue.

Wall 15 is also provided as indicated at 39 with hooks or'hangers tofacilitate the installation of wall 15.

The tank itself is preferably of concrete and constructed ofian uppersection anda lower'section as indicated'at 5 and5" which are keyed tothe'walls as at 10 and 12. The wall 15 is also made in two sections 15'and 15" and th'esesections and baffle 13'are each secured to the tankwalls at their upper edges by keys as at 41 as shown in connection withthe bafile 13. A cover 43 having three sections 45, 47, 49 is adapted toclose the top of the tank and is provided with meansSI for removing thesame fomthe tank proper.

In'operatioh sewageflowingintoopening 17 courses downwardly beneathbathe 13 into settling chamber 11. Initially some siight amount of theiluid may pass through aperture'26 into outlet compartment 9 but as thesludge builds up this opening will be substantially closed by sludge. Asthe height of the liquid rises in the settling chamber sludge willsettle out, bacterial action taking place concurrently therewith untilthe liquid level reaches that of opening 21. The liquid at this openingwill be relatively clean but may contain as a product of the bacterialaction a very small amount of scum which may enter the opening. As theliquid level continues to rise however to the passage 37 the mainportion of scum is retained in chamber 11 and the minute amount whichpasses intocompartment 9 may settle out therein. When the liquid .levelreaches passage 37 which iscoincident with liquid level 34 in chamber11. free flow of liquid takes place into chamber 9. However, it is to benoted that the liquid passing into opening 21 and through passages 23,37, 35 is free of both surface scum and bottom sludge since the liquidis taken off at a point between these layers. The exact position ofaperture 21 on the wall 15 is not critical but should be suiciently wellup that the sludge depth will not rise to the same under normaloperating conditions, and sufficiently below the surface to inhibit flowof surface scum thereto. Preferably opening 21 is positioned abouttwo-thirds of the way down the tank from the operating liquid level.

While as noted some flow may occur to compartment 9 through aperture26`in the early stages of operation the sludge will normally accumulateat the aperture rapidly and close the same well before the liquid levelrises to the levelvof outlet 19 in compartment 9. Accordingly the primeportionof material passing into this latter compartment will comethrough passage 35 and will be exceedingly clean. Any solids that dopass will have of course opportunity to settle out in compartment 9.

It will thus be noted that there has beeniprovided a septic tankstructure which will-.pass only` thoroughly clean liquid vto the outlet.Accordingly theunderground tile or drainffeldreceiverirequireslessmaintenance.

It is `further-to be noted that thestructural makeup of the tankllmaybe` readily accomplished when the same is of'tcem'entorconcreteforreinforced concrete since norm'al production processes will apply and itis only necessary to separately form the member 25 and while still greenplace: it on thegreen wall 15, allowing the two to set together;While-the integral structure thus formed is not-essential'it isadvantageous from strength and productonwlostllpoints of view.

It will b'eunderstood that -this linvention is `suceptible tomodification in'order to adopt it to ditferent usages and conditionsandaccordingly, it is desired to compre`' hend such modifications withinthis invention as may fall within thesc'ope of theappended claims.

l claim 1. Aseptic tank"comprising an inlet and outlet diaposed nearfthetop of thetan'k and at opposite ends, a'sul's-` stantially verticalwallldividing the tank into a settling chamber and'anoutlet compartment,said vertical wall having an"opening-inutile` upper portionthereof; aloopshaped' conduitcommunicating with said wall opening; said conduithaving al partitioningwall therein dividing the conduit into an'inlet`andl outlet chamber,- said inlet chamber communicating with said 'wallopening` nearlthe bottomr-ofsaid conduit inlet chamber, said outletcharm ber communicatingwith the outlet lcompartment of said tank. thetop Aof-saidconduit partitioninglwall being disposed above said wallopening whereby liquid flowing throughl saidwall-opening` and into saidconduit inlet chamber rises to the height of said partitioning wa`ll`ofthe conduit before 'coursing downwardly into the`outlet chambervoffthecor'rduit'and into'the outlet compartment of said tank;ardver'tcally disposed baille" rnearis'wai'-A ranged in saidoutletcompartment for hindering the movement of'slurry into saidlast-mentioned outlet.

2. A septic tank comprising an inlet and outlet dis posed near-.the topof the tank and at opposite ends, a substantially vertical wall dividingthe tank into a settling chamber and an outlet compartment, saidvertical wall having anfopeningin :the upper portion thereof, aloopshaped conduit carried .by said vertical wall and com municatingwith said wall opening, said conduit having a partitioningwallthereindividing the conduit into an inlet and outlet chamber, said inletchamber communicating with said wall opening near thcbottom of saidconduit inlet chamber,` saidoutlet chamber communicating with the'outletcompartment of sald'tank, the top, of said conduit partitioning wallbeingdisposed` above said wall opening @whereby liquid "owing throughsaid w'all opening and into said conduit inlet chamber rises to theheight of said partitioning` wall of the conduit before coursingdownwardly into the outlet chamber of the conduit and 5 into the outletcompartment of said tank, and vertically 1,349,452 disposed baille meansarranged in said outlet compartment 1,401,182 for hindering the movementof slurry into said last-men- 2,078,260 tioned outlet.

5 References Cited in the le of this patent 647,543

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,179,327 Kearney Apr. 11, 1916 6 Griflth Aug. 10,1920 Overton Dec. 27, 1921 Mallory Apr. 27, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS FranceJuly 31, 1928

1. A SEPTIC TANK COMPRISING AN INLET AND OUTLET DISPOSED NEAR THE TOP OFTHE TANK AND AT OPPOSITE ENDS, A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL WALL DIVIDINGTHE TANK INTO A SETTLING CHAMBER AND AN OUTLET COMPARTMENT, SAIDVERTICAL WALL HAVING AN OPENING IN THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, ALOOPSHAPED CONDUIT COMMUNICATING WITH SAID WALL OPENING, SAID CONDUITHAVING A PARTITIONING WALL THEREIN DIVIDING THE CONDUIT INTO AN INLETAND OUTLET CHAMBER, SAID INLET CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID WALLOPENING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF SAID CONDUIT INLET CHAMBER, SAID OUTLETCHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH THE INLET COMPARTMENT OF SAID TANK, THE TOPOF SAID CONDUIT PARTITIONING WALL BEING DISPOSED ABOVE SAID WALL OPENINGWHEREBY LIQUID FLOWING THROUGH SAID WALL OPENING AND INTO SAID CONDUITINLET CHAMBER RISES TO THE HEIGHT OF SAID PARTITIONING WALL OF THECONDUIT BEFORE COURSING DOWNWARDLY INTO THE OUTLET CHAMBER OF THECONDUIT AND INTO THE OUTLET COMPARTMENT OF SAID TANK, AND VERTICALLYDISPOSED BAFFLE MEANS ARRANGED IN SAID OUTLET COMPARTMENT FOR HINDERINGTHE MOVEMENT OF SLURRY INTO SAID LAST-MENTIONED OUTLET.